Vertical situation display of weather information

ABSTRACT

A method is present for displaying weather information. A number of weather conditions present within an altitude range along a route of an aircraft is identified from weather data. A type of weather indicator is selected based on a type of weather condition in the number of weather conditions to form a number of weather indicators. A vertical situation display is displayed with the number of weather indicators in a number of locations on a display corresponding to the number of locations for the number of weather conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention is related to the following patent application:entitled Presenting Weather Information on a Display, Ser. No.12,204,756, filed on Sep. 4, 2008, assigned to the same assignee, andincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field:

The present disclosure relates generally to an improved data processingsystem and in particular to a method and apparatus for presentingweather information on a display. Still more particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a computer implemented method, apparatus, andcomputer program code for presenting weather information on an aircraftdisplay.

2. Background:

Weather information is used by pilots and other users to plan flights.With weather information and predictions, a flight plan may be createdthat may avoid undesirable weather such as, for example, thunderstorms,turbulence, and other conditions. Weather information also may be usedby pilots and other flight crew during a flight.

This type of information is typically provided in the form of papercharts. If a large number of phenomena or different types of weatherconditions overlap, it may be difficult to identify individualphenomena. As a result, weather charts typically only contain a limitedor small number of weather phenomena. Multiple charts for the same areamay be present to allow for identification of all of the different typesof phenomena. Consequently, a pilot may need to consult severaldifferent charts to obtain a full picture or identification of theweather situation. This problem also occurs with electronic charts.

As a result, a pilot may have to look at weather information on a numberof different charts. Afterwards, the pilot has to mentally integrate theobtained information to obtain a complete picture of the weathersituation. This process increases the workload and may take additionaltime.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus thatovercomes the problems described above.

SUMMARY

In one advantageous embodiment, a method is present for displayingweather information. A number of weather conditions present within analtitude range along a route of an aircraft is identified from weatherdata. A type of weather indicator is selected based on a type of weathercondition in the number of weather conditions to form a number ofweather indicators. A vertical situation display is displayed with thenumber of weather indicators in a number of locations on a displaycorresponding to the number of locations for the number of weatherconditions.

In another advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a computersystem, a display, and a weather display process. The weather displayprocess executes on the computer system. The weather display processidentifies a number of weather conditions present within an altituderange along a route of an aircraft from weather data. The weatherdisplay process selects a type of weather indicator based on a type ofweather condition in the number of weather conditions to form a numberof weather indicators. The weather display process displays a verticalsituation display with the number of weather indicators in a number oflocations on the display corresponding to the number of locations forthe number of weather conditions.

In another yet advantageous embodiment, a computer program product ispresent for presenting weather information. The computer program productcomprises a computer recordable storage media, and program code. Theprogram code is stored on the computer recordable storage media. Programcode is present for identifying a number of weather conditions presentwithin an altitude range along a route of an aircraft from weather data.Program code is also present for selecting a type of weather indicatorbased on a type of weather condition in the number of weather conditionsto form a number of weather indicators. Program code is present fordisplaying a vertical situation display with the number of weatherindicators in a number of locations on a display corresponding to thenumber of locations for the number of weather conditions.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yetother embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the advantageousembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The advantageousembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description of an advantageous embodiment ofthe present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a network of data processingsystems in which the advantageous embodiments of the present inventionmay be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a data processing system in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an aircraft flight instrument system inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of weather indicators in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a geometry in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a table of weather indicators in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a table of weather indicators in the form of geometry inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of reduced geometries in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a map in accordance with an advantageousembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a vertical situation display with weatherinformation in accordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a vertical situation display with weatherinformation in accordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process for presenting weather informationin accordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process for displaying weather informationin accordance with an advantageous embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a process for displaying weather conditions inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference toFIGS. 1-2, exemplary diagrams of data processing environments areprovided in which the advantageous embodiments of the present inventionmay be implemented. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1-2 are onlyexemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation withregard to the environments in which different embodiments may beimplemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may bemade.

With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a pictorialrepresentation of a network of data processing systems in which theadvantageous embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.Network data processing system 100 is a network of computers in whichembodiments may be implemented. Network data processing system 100contains network 102, which is the medium used to provide communicationslinks between various devices and computers connected together withinnetwork data processing system 100. Network 102 may include connections,such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.

In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect to network102 along with storage unit 108. In addition, clients 110, 112, and 114connect to network 102. These clients 110, 112, and 114 may be, forexample, personal computers or network computers. In the depictedexample, server 104 provides data, such as boot files, operating systemimages, and applications to clients 110, 112, and 114. Clients 110, 112,and 114 are clients to server 104 in this example. Aircraft 116 also isa client that may exchange information with clients 110, 112, and 114.Aircraft 116 also may exchange information with servers 104 and 106.Aircraft 116 may exchange data with different computers through awireless communications link while in-flight or any other type ofcommunications link while on the ground. In these examples, server 104,server 106, client 110, client 112, and client 114 may be computers.

Aircraft 116 may receive weather information from various sources suchas those from server 104 and/or storage 108 in accordance with differentadvantageous embodiments. This weather information may be used topresent weather information to pilots and other crew of aircraft 116.Additionally, in some advantageous embodiments, this weather informationmay be received by client 114 to generate and/or update flight plans foran aircraft such as aircraft 116. The updated flight plans may then betransmitted to aircraft 116. Network data processing system 100 mayinclude additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown.

In the depicted example, network data processing system 100 is theInternet with network 102 representing a worldwide collection ofnetworks and gateways that use the Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to communicatewith one another. Of course, network data processing system 100 also maybe implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as forexample, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network(WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as an architecturallimitation for different embodiments.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a diagram of a data processing system is depictedin accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Data processing system200 is an example of a data processing system that may be used toimplement servers and clients, such as server 104 and client 110.Further, data processing system 200 is an example of a data processingsystem that may be found in aircraft 116 in FIG. 1.

In this illustrative example, data processing system 200 includescommunications fabric 202, which provides communications betweenprocessor unit 204, memory 206, persistent storage 208, communicationsunit 210, input/output (I/O) unit 212, and display adapter 214.

Processor unit 204 serves to execute instructions for software that maybe loaded into memory 206. Processor unit 204 may be a set of one ormore processors or may be a multi-processor core, depending on theparticular implementation. Further, processor unit 204 may beimplemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems in which amain processor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. Asanother illustrative example, processor unit 204 may be a symmetricmulti-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type.

Memory 206, in these examples, may be, for example, a random accessmemory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device.Persistent storage 208 may take various forms depending on theparticular implementation. For example, persistent storage 208 maycontain one or more components or devices. For example, persistentstorage 208 may be a hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable opticaldisk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. Themedia used by persistent storage 208 also may be removable. For example,a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 208.

Communications unit 210, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices. In these examples,communications unit 210 is a network interface card. Communications unit210 may provide communications through the use of either or bothphysical and wireless communications links.

Input/output unit 212 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to data processing system 200. Forexample, input/output unit 212 may provide a connection for user inputthrough a keyboard and mouse. Further, input/output unit 212 may sendoutput to a printer. Display adapter 214 provides send to displayinformation to a display device.

Instructions for the operating system and applications or programs arelocated on persistent storage 208. These instructions may be loaded intomemory 206 for execution by processor unit 204. The processes of thedifferent embodiments may be performed by processor unit 204 usingcomputer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory,such as memory 206. These instructions are referred to as, program code,computer usable program code, or computer readable program code that maybe read and executed by a processor in processor unit 204. The programcode in the different embodiments may be embodied on different physicalor tangible computer readable media, such as memory 206 or persistentstorage 208.

Program code 216 is located in a functional form on computer readablemedia 218 and may be loaded onto or transferred to data processingsystem 200 for execution by processor unit 204. Program code 216 andcomputer readable media 218 form computer program product 220 in theseexamples. In one example, computer readable media 218 may be in atangible form, such as, for example, an optical or magnetic disc that isinserted or placed into a drive or other device that is part ofpersistent storage 208 for transfer onto a storage device, such as ahard drive that is part of persistent storage 208. In a tangible form,computer readable media 218 also may take the form of a persistentstorage, such as a hard drive or a flash memory that is connected todata processing system 200. The tangible form of computer readable media218 is also referred to as computer recordable storage media.

Alternatively, program code 216 may be transferred to data processingsystem 200 from computer readable media 218 through a communicationslink to communications unit 210 and/or through a connection toinput/output unit 212. The communications link and/or the connection maybe physical or wireless in the illustrative examples. The computerreadable media also may take the form of non-tangible media, such ascommunications links or wireless transmissions containing the programcode.

The different components illustrated for data processing system 200 arenot meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrativeembodiments may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents in addition to or in place of those illustrated for dataprocessing system 200. Other components shown in FIG. 2 can be variedfrom the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of executingprogram code. As one example, the data processing system may includeorganic components integrated with organic components and/or may becomprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. Forexample, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor.

As another example, a storage device in data processing system 200 isany hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory 206, persistentstorage 208, and computer readable media 218 are examples of storagedevices in a tangible form. In yet another, a bus system may be used toimplement communications fabric 202 and may be comprised of one or morebuses, such as a system bus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bussystem may be implemented using any suitable type of architecture thatprovides for a transfer of data between different components or devicesattached to the bus system. Additionally, a communications unit mayinclude one or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as amodem or a network adapter. Further, a memory may be, for example,memory 206 or a cache such as found in an interface and memorycontroller hub that may be present in communications fabric 202.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a diagram of an aircraft flight instrumentsystem is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Inthis example, aircraft flight instrument system 300 may provideinformation to a pilot and receive commands from a pilot to control anaircraft. Aircraft flight instrument system 300 is an example of anaircraft flight instrument system that may be present in aircraft 116 inFIG. 1.

Aircraft flight instrument system 300 includes computer system 302,primary flight display 304, and multifunction display 306. Aircraftflight instrument system 300 also may include electronic flight bag 308,which may have display 310. Computer system 302 may comprise one or moredata processing systems such as, for example, data processing system 200in FIG. 2.

Primary flight display 304 is a display device that presents informationused for flight. This information includes, for example, calibrated airspeed, altitude, heading, attitude, vertical speed, and yaw. Primaryflight display 304 is designed to improve the situational awareness of apilot. Multifunction display 306 is another display device that presentsnavigation and weather information from different systems withincomputer system 302.

Electronic flight bag 308 is an electronic information management devicethat helps the pilot and crew perform flight management tasks moreeasily and efficiently with less paper. Electronic flight bag 308 may beimplemented using a data processing system such as, for example, dataprocessing system 200 in FIG. 2. Electronic flight bag 308 may presentreference materials such as, for example, an aircraft operating manual,an air crew operating manual, navigation charts, and other suitableinformation.

In these examples, weather display process 312 may execute on computersystem 302 to present weather information in accordance with differentadvantageous embodiments. In the different illustrative examples, theweather information may be presented on multifunction display 306. Ofcourse, in other advantageous embodiments, this weather information maybe presented on other displays connected to computer system 302. Forexample, this weather information may be presented on a dedicateddisplay.

In one example, weather display process 312 may obtain weather data 314and navigation data 316. Navigation data 316 may include maps 318 androutes 320. Maps 318 may be, for example, electronic charts or adatabase of information used to generate maps for a moving mapapplication. Maps 318 may be implemented using any currently availableelectronic maps and/or map databases. Routes 320 may be, for example,one or more routes for the aircraft.

Weather display process 312 may identify weather conditions 322 fromweather data 314 for a particular geographic region. Weather displayprocess 312 selects a number of weather indicators 324 based on weatherconditions 322 identified by weather display process 312. The phrase “anumber of” when referring to items refers to one or more items. Forexample, a number of weather indicators is one or more weatherindicators.

In these examples, weather display process 312 selects an indicator fromweather indicators 324 based on weather conditions 322. Weather displayprocess 312 selects one or more maps from maps 318 and selects one ormore weather indicators from weather indicators 324 based on theidentification of weather conditions 322 for a particular geographicregion. Weather display process 312 then identifies locations forweather indicators selected from weather indicators 324 based on thelocations of weather conditions 322. These locations are geographiclocations that may be referenced through terrain and/or navigation data.Weather display process 312 then presents the display of thisinformation on multifunction display 306.

This presentation may take various forms. For example, map 328 may bepresented using one or more maps from maps 318 and one or moreindicators from weather indicators 324. Map 328 provides a top-end viewof weather conditions that may be present. Additionally, a route may bedisplayed on map 328 to allow an identification of weather conditionsthat may cross the route or within some selected distance of the route.

Vertical situation display 330 is an example of another form in whichinformation may be displayed. Vertical situation display 330 provides aview that allows a pilot or other crew member to interpret a verticalpath of an aircraft. For example, vertical situation display 330provides a side or profile view of information such as, for example, aterrain that may be below the flight path of an aircraft.

Additionally, in the different advantageous embodiments, verticalsituation display 330 is presented with weather indicators from weatherindicators 324 based on the identification of weather conditions 322.Further, vertical situation display 330 may present weather indicators324 in a manner to identify whether a particular route may encounter aweather condition within weather conditions 322.

In the different advantageous embodiments, map 328 may be presented as amoving map with weather display process 312 having moving map functions.

Vertical situation display 330 is displayed on multifunction display 306with the number of weather indicators in a number of locations on thedisplay corresponding to the locations for the weather conditions.

In other advantageous embodiments, electronic flight bag 308 may executeweather display process 332, generate map 334, and vertical situationdisplay 336 with other information in a similar fashion to thepresentation of map 328 and vertical situation display 330.

The illustration of aircraft flight instrument system 300 in FIG. 3 isnot meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the mannerin which other advantageous embodiments may be implemented. In otheradvantageous embodiments, other components may be used in addition to orin place of the ones illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, in otheradvantageous embodiments, aircraft flight instrument system 300 may alsoinclude engine indications and crew alerting system displays. In yetother advantageous embodiments, electronic flight bag 308 may beomitted. As yet another example, weather data 314 and/or navigation data316 may be located remotely from aircraft flight instrument system 300.In some embodiments, this data may be located remotely from theaircraft.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a diagram of weather indicators isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In this example,weather indicators 400 is an illustrative example of one implementationfor weather indicators 324 in FIG. 3.

In this example, weather indicators 400 include reduced geometries 402,geometries 404, and symbols 406. The use of reduced geometries 402,geometries 404, and symbols 406 allows for a presentation of a number ofdifferent weather conditions that may be simultaneously displayed. Thisdisplay may be in a manner such that when different weather conditionsare located in the same area that a user is capable of identifying thedifferent types of weather conditions.

In these illustrative examples, reduced geometries 402 may be used for avertical situation display, while geometries 404 and symbols 406 may beused in both map 328 and vertical situation display 330. Of course,depending on the particular implementation, reduced geometries 402 alsomay be used in map 328.

Reduced geometries 402, geometries 404, and symbols 406 may be colorcoded to indicate a severity and/or level of a condition. For example,green may indicate a light condition, yellow may indicate a moderatecondition, red may indicate a severe condition, and magenta may indicatean extreme condition. Of course, other combinations of colors or numbersof colors may be used to indicate other levels for different conditions.Additionally, in other advantageous embodiments, other types ofindicators may be used in addition to or in place of the onesillustrated in FIG. 4.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a diagram illustrating a geometry isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In this example,geometry 500 is an example of a geometry within geometries 404 in FIG.4. This illustration of geometry 500 is a block diagram illustratingfeatures that may be present within geometry 500. This illustration isnot meant to imply limitations to the manner in which differentgeometries may be implemented.

In these examples, geometry 500 has border 502, which has shape 504 toindicate spatial extension 506 for a particular weather condition.Border 502 also has color 508. In these examples, color 508 may indicatethe level or severity of the particular weather condition. Further,border 502 has spatial extension 506, which is the area in which aweather condition is located.

Border 502 may take various forms. For example, without limitation,border 502 may have a solid line and/or a pattern. For example, thepattern may be dashes, dashes and dots, dashes and a graphical symbol,lines with graphical symbols, lines with different lengths, and/or someother suitable pattern for border 502.

Geometry 500 may also includes fill 510 which is located within border502. Fill 510 in these examples may be semi-transparent color 512 and/orpattern 514. In yet other advantageous embodiments, fill 510 may have nocolor for semi-transparent color 512. Further, fill 510 also may includesymbol 516 to further aid in identifying the type of weather condition.

In the different advantageous embodiments, geometry 500 is designed suchthat geometry 500 may be overlapped and/or overlaid partially orentirely on another geometry in a manner that the weather conditionsidentified by the two different geometries may be discernable to a usereven with the overlap.

As yet another example, if two levels of severity are present forgeometry 500, these levels may be identified by having two borders andtwo fills. The borders and/or fills may have different colors toidentify the difference in severity or level of the particular weathercondition for geometry 500. Further, geometry 500 also may beidentifiable from other geometries when more than two differentgeometries are partially or entirely overlaid on each other in theseexamples.

In this manner, the use of a geometry such as, for example, geometry 500may provide a graphical representation of weather information thatallows for the overlap depiction of several different types of weatherconditions at the same time and at the same place in a manner thatallows each weather condition to be discerned and identified. Further, apresentation of geometries may be correlated with information relevantto a flight such as, for example, particular navigation and/or terraininformation.

The illustration of geometry 500 in FIG. 5 is not meant to implyarchitectural limitations to the manner in which different geometriesmay be implemented. For example, some geometries may include additionalor fewer features than those illustrated. In addition, other featuresmay be used in place of the illustrated features. For example, in someadvantageous embodiments, symbol 516 may not be used within fill 510. Inyet other advantageous embodiments, border 502 may incorporate symbol516 as part of border 502.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a table of weather indicators is depictedin accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In this example, table600 contains examples of symbols such as, for example, jet stream 602,tropical depression 604, tropical storm 606, hurricane 608, wind 610,and temperatures 612. In the different advantageous embodiments, thesesymbols may take the form of solid filled figures.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a table of weather indicators in the formof a geometry is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.Table 700 provides examples of implementations for geometry 500 in FIG.5. The geometries depicted in table 700 are illustrative examples ofgeometries that may be found in weather indicators 324 in FIG. 3. Inthis example, geometries within table 700 include visibility 702, icing704, turbulence 706, rain 708, snow 710, thunderstorm 712, and volcanicash cloud 714.

In this example, in visibility 702, border 716 and border 718 are solidlines that show the spatial extent of visibility 702. In thisillustrative example, two different levels of severity are shown forvisibility 702. Fill 720 and fill 722 are a semi-transparent color inthese examples. The degree of visibility or the severity of loss ofvisibility may be indicated by the colors of borders 716 and 718. Ofcourse, in other advantageous embodiments, the colors of fill 720 and722 also may be used to indicate severity.

Icing 704 has three levels of severity in this example. These levels maybe delineated by borders 724, 726, and 727. These borders take the formof solid lines with fill 728 and fill 730. In this example, fill 728 andfill 730 are a pattern that takes the form of dots. Icing 704 also hassymbol 731, which may aid in identifying this geometry. The colors ofborders 724, 726, and 727 are used to indicate the severity of icing inthis illustrative example. In other illustrative embodiments, the colorof the dots in fill 728 and the color of the dots in fill 730 may beused to indicate the severity of the condition.

Turbulence 706 has two levels of turbulence and may be delineated byborder 732 and border 734. Fill 736 and fill 738 are present. In thisexample, border 732 and 734 take the form of dashed lines to identifythe extent of turbulence 706. Fill 736 and fill 738 are in the form of apattern which has stripes or hash marks. The colors of border 732 andborder 734 may identify the severity or degree of turbulence. In otheradvantageous embodiments, fill 736 and fill 738 may have colors used toidentify the severity or degree of turbulence. In this example, symbol739 is present within turbulence 706 and aids in identifying this typeof geometry.

Rain 708 has border 740 and border 742 with fill 744 and fill 746. Inthis example, borders 740 and 742 are lines with dashes and dots. Snow710 contains borders 748 and 750. Borders 748 and 750 contain lines withsnow flakes to identify snow 710. The severity or level of rain 708 andsnow 710 may be indicated through the colors of the borders and/orfills.

Thunderstorm 712 includes border 752 with fill 754. Border 752 takes theform of a scalloped outline with fill 754 being a pattern in the form oflightning bolts. Volcanic ash cloud 714 has border 756 and fill 758,which is a semi-transparent color. The severity or level of thunderstorm712 and/or volcanic ash cloud 714 may be indicated through the color ofthe borders and/or fills.

With reference now to FIG. 8, a diagram of reduced geometries isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In this exampletable 800 contains examples of indicators that may be found in weatherindicators 324 in FIG. 3. The reduced geometries illustrated in table800 are an example of some implementations for reduced geometries 402 inFIG. 4.

In this example, table 800 includes turbulence 802, icing 804, volcanicash cloud 806, rain 808, snow 810, low visibility 812, and thunderstorms814. These different indicators are examples of reduced geometries thatmay be used on a vertical situation display to identify different typesof weather conditions.

The symbols located within these indicators are similar to the symbolsshown for the fills with corresponding geometries in table 700 in FIG.7. These reduced geometries may be used in place of the geometries intable 700 in a vertical situation display in these examples. In otheradvantageous embodiments, reduced geometries may also be used in ahorizontal display. Further, these reduced geometries may be color codedto indicate severity in a fashion similar to geometry 500.

The illustrations of the different weather indicators in FIGS. 6-8 arenot meant to imply architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent indicators may be implemented. These different examples aremerely illustrative examples and are not an exhaustive list of thedifferent types of geometries, reduced geometries, and symbols that maybe used.

With reference now to FIG. 9, a diagram of a map is depicted inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment. In this example, map 900 isan example of a map that may be presented in multifunction display 306in FIG. 3 as generated by weather display process 312 in FIG. 3.

In this illustrative example, map 900 illustrates terrain 902 andnavigation information 904. A number of different weather conditions aredisplayed using various weather indicators in map 900. For example,symbol 906 identifies a jet stream, while symbol 907 identifies wind.

In this example, geometry 908 identifies a presence of turbulence.Geometry 910 indicates a presence of visibility problems, while geometry912 identifies a presence of precipitation in the form of rain. As canbe seen, geometry 910 overlaps geometry 912. The extent of geometry 910and 912 may be identified using border 914 for geometry 910 and border916 for geometry 912.

As can be seen, different types of borders are used to distinguish thedifferent between the different geometries. Further, fill 918 forgeometry 910 is a semi-transparent color, while fill 920 is transparent.In this manner, the extent of each type of weather condition representedby geometry 910 and geometry 912 can be distinguished or identified eventhough these geometries overlap.

Geometry 922 indicates the presence of icing. Geometry 924 indicates thepresence of visibility problems. As can be seen, the extent andidentification of these two weather conditions can be made even thoughthese two geometries overlap each other.

As another example, on map 900, geometry 926 identifies a presence oflower visibility. Geometry 928 identifies a presence of turbulence.Geometry 930 identifies a presence of a volcanic ash cloud. Thesedifferent weather conditions and their extent can be identified eventhough the different geometries overlap. Geometry 932 indicates apresence of icing, geometry 934 indicates a presence of turbulence,while geometry 936 identifies a presence of thunderstorms. Even withmultiple overlaps in geometries, the different types of weatherconditions and their extent still may be identified through theselection of borders and fills for the different geometries.

With reference now to FIG. 10, a diagram of a vertical situation displaywith weather information is depicted in accordance with an advantageousembodiment.

In this depicted example, vertical situation display 1000 is an exampleof one implementation or one manner in which vertical situation display330 displayed within multifunction display 306 by weather displayprocess 312 may be presented. In this example, vertical situationdisplay 1000 includes altitude axis 1002 and distance axis 1004, alongwith terrain profile 1006. Vertical situation display 1000 also includesroute 1008, aircraft 1010, and flight progress indicator 1012.

In addition, weather indicators are present in the form of symbols,reduced geometries, and geometries. In this example, symbols such assymbols 1014 and 1016 indicate wind and temperature, respectively.

Reduced geometries 1018, 1020, 1022, 1024, 1026, and 1028 are associatedwith route 1008. These symbols are associated with route 1008 through aportion each of the symbols touching route 1008 in these illustrativeexamples. These symbols indicate a presence of icing along differentlocations on distance axis 1004. Reduced geometries 1030, 1032, 1034,1036, 1038, 1040, and 1042 indicate a presence of turbulence alongdifferent portions of route 1008 that may be encountered by aircraft1010.

Reduced geometries 1044, 1046, 1048, 1050, 1052, and 1054 indicate apresence of icing along routes 1008. Reduced geometries 1056, 1058,1060, 1061, 1062, 1064, and 1066 indicate a presence of turbulence ondifferent portions of route 1008. In addition to reduced geometries,vertical situation display 1000 also includes geometry 1067 and geometry1068 to indicate a presence of different visibility levels. Geometry1068 includes borders 1070, 1072, and 1074 to identify different levelsof visibility within geometry 1068.

Vertical situation display 1000 also includes control 1076 and control1078. Control 1076 may be selected to display vertical situation display1000 or to remove or terminate the display. Control 1078 may be selectedto present a legend. This legend may include an identification of thedifferent symbols, reduced geometries, and geometries.

With reference now to FIG. 11, a diagram of a vertical situation displaywith weather information is depicted in accordance with an advantageousembodiment. In this example, vertical situation display 1100 is anotherexample of a vertical situation display 330 in FIG. 3.

In this illustrative example, vertical situation display 1100 includesaltitude axis 1102 and distance axis 1104. Aircraft 1106 is shown onroute 1108 along with flight progress indicator 1110. As can be seen inthe example, route 1108 is depicted as having a change in altitudeduring the flight of aircraft 1106. Terrain 1114 is also presentedrelative to aircraft 1106 and route 1108.

In these examples, weather indicators displayed in vertical situationdisplay 1100 may include symbols such as, for example, symbols 1116 and1118, which identify wind and temperature, respectively. In thisexample, weather indicators also may take the form of reduced geometriessuch as reduced geometries 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, and 1132.These reduced geometries indicate visibility conditions. The amount ofreduced visibility may be indicated through the use of colors in theseexamples.

Additionally, geometry 1134 and geometry 1136 are presented in verticalsituation display 1100. Geometry 1134 indicates a presence ofturbulence, while geometry 1136 includes a presence of icing. Geometry1134 has borders 1135 and 1137, which may indicate the severity ofturbulence. Geometry 1136 has borders 1138 and 1139, which may indicatethe severity of icing. Further, reduced geometries 1140 and 1142indicate a presence of a thunderstorm within these reduced geometries.As can be seen, although the different weather indicators overlap eachother, identification of the different types of weather conditions canbe discerned by the user.

The illustration of the different displays in FIGS. 9-11 are not meantto imply limitations to the manner in which different advantageousembodiments may be implemented. For example, in other advantageousembodiments, map 900 may be displayed without route information. Instill other advantageous embodiments, a user may be provided with acapability to select between viewing reduced geometries and full-sizegeometries. For example, the user may select a reduced geometry toexpand to a full-size geometry that shows the spatial extent of theparticular weather condition. In yet another advantageous embodiment,the user may reduce the size of the full-size geometry to a reducedgeometry depending on the particular implementation.

With reference now to FIG. 12, a flowchart of a process for presentingweather information is depicted in accordance with an advantageousembodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 12 is an example of aprocess that may be implemented in weather display process 312 in FIG.3. This process may be executed or performed to generate a display suchas, for example, map 900 in FIG. 9.

The process begins by identifying a number of weather conditions presentfor a geographic region from weather data for the geographic region(operation 1200). The process then selects the geometry for a weathercondition within the number of weather conditions based on a type ofweather condition for each of the number of weather conditions to form anumber of geometries (operation 1202). Each geometry within the numberof geometries has a level of transparency that corresponds with a borderto allow another geometry to be identified when displayed in anoverlapping manner. The level of transparency may be set by the fill fora geometry and/or some other feature.

The fill may have a color with some level of transparency. In someembodiments, the fill may be entirely transparent. Also, the fill mayinclude a pattern.

The process selects a spatial extension for each geometry within thenumber of geometries based on an extent of an associated weathercondition (operation 1204). The process displays the geometries on a mapof the region in which the geometries are displayed in locations on themap corresponding to locations of the weather conditions in thegeographic region (operation 1206).

With reference now to FIG. 13, a flowchart of a process for displayingweather information is depicted in accordance with an advantageousembodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 13 may be implemented usinga process such as, for example, weather display process 312 in FIG. 3.This process may be executed or run to generate a display such as, forexample, vertical situation display 1000 in FIG. 10 and/or verticalsituation display 1100 in FIG. 11.

The process begins by identifying a number of weather conditions presentwithin an altitude range along a route of an aircraft from weather data(operation 1300). The process selects a type of weather indicator basedon the type of weather condition in the number of weather conditions toform a number of weather indicators (operation 1302).

The process then displays a vertical situation display with the numberof weather indicators in a number of locations on a displaycorresponding to the locations for the weather conditions (operation1304) with the process terminating thereafter.

With reference now to FIG. 14, a flowchart of a process for displayingweather conditions is depicted in accordance with an advantageousembodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 14 may be implemented in aprocess such as, for example, weather display process 312 in FIG. 3.

The process begins by identifying a number of weather conditions(operation 1400). These weather conditions may be identified usingweather information from a weather database or some other source. Theprocess selects an unprocessed weather condition from the weatherconditions (operation 1402).

The process then identifies a weather indicator for use with theselected weather condition (operation 1404). This weather indicator maytake various forms. For example, a symbol, a reduced geometry, or ageometry may be used. In these advantageous embodiments, the selectionof a weather indicator is performed based on the spatial extent of theweather condition. In general, weather phenomena with a small spatialextent are represented by a geometry. On the other hand, weatherphenomena with a small spatial extent are identified by a symbol.Reduced geometries may be used to decrease the consumption of displayreal estate or display space, while displaying weather information. Inthese illustrative examples, the pilot of the aircraft may have thecapability to configure whether the weather phenomena are presented byreduced geometries or full-size geometries.

The process determines whether more unprocessed weather conditions arepresent (operation 1406). If additional weather conditions are present,the process returns to operation 1402.

Otherwise, the process determines whether geometries have beenidentified for a weather condition (operation 1408). If geometries havenot been identified, the process then terminates. If one or moregeometries have been identified, the process then selects an unprocessedgeometry for processing (operation 1410).

The process generates a spatial extension for the geometry (operation1412). The spatial extension is based on the extent of the weathercondition associated with the geometry. The process then identifies theseverity of the weather condition (operation 1414). A color is thenselected based on the severity (operation 1416). This color may beselected for a border and/or fill of the geometry depending on theparticular implementation.

The process then identifies a location for the geometry (operation1418). This location is used to display the geometry on a map withrespect to terrain or navigation information to indicate the extent ofthe weather condition over those different regions. The processdetermines whether additional unprocessed geometries are present(operation 1420). If additional unprocessed geometries are present, theprocess returns to operation 1410.

If, in operation 1420, additional unprocessed geometries are notpresent, the process determines whether reduced geometries have beenidentified for use as weather indicators (operation 1422). If reducedgeometries have not been identified, the process then terminates.Otherwise, if reduced geometries have been identified, the processselects an unprocessed reduced geometry (operation 1424). The processidentifies a severity for the reduced geometry that has been selectedfor processing (operation 1426). Based on the severity, the processselects a color (operation 1428). This color is used to indicate theseverity of the weather condition for the reduced geometry.

The process then identifies a location for the reduced geometry(operation 1430). With respect to use in a vertical situation display,this location may be associated with a distance axis on which a route isdisplayed. The process determines whether additional unprocessed reducedgeometries are present (operation 1432). If additional unprocessedgeometries are present, the process returns to operation 1424.Otherwise, a determination is made as to whether symbols have beenidentified for use as weather indicators (operation 1434). If symbolshave not been identifies, the process then terminates.

If symbols have been identified, an unprocessed symbol is selected forprocessing (operation 1436). A location is identified for the symbol(operation 1438). The process then determines whether additionalunprocessed symbols are present (operation 1440). If additionalunprocessed symbols are present, the process returns to operation 1436.Otherwise, the process displays the weather conditions on a display(operation 1442), with the process terminating thereafter. This displaymay be on a map and/or vertical situation display.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodimentsillustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of somepossible implementations of apparatus, methods and computer programproducts. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagramsmay represent a module, segment, or portion of computer usable orreadable program code, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified function or functions. Insome alternative implementations, the function or functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, insome cases, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved.

Thus, the different advantageous embodiments provide a method,apparatus, and computer program code for displaying or presentingweather information. In the different advantageous embodiments,different weather conditions are identified for a geographic region fromweather data for that geographic region. Geometries may be selected fora weather condition based on the type of weather condition. A spatialextension may be selected for each geometry based on the extent of theweather condition. These geometries may be displayed on the map inlocations corresponding to locations for the weather conditions. Thegeometries are created such that overlaps of different geometries maystill allow for the identification of the different weather conditions.In these examples, each geometry may have a level of transparency thatis located within a corresponding border.

Further, the different advantageous embodiments may identify weatherconditions present within an altitude range along a route of anaircraft. A type of weather indicator may be selected based on the typeof weather condition. The weather indicators may be displayed on thevertical situation display based on locations of those weatherconditions.

In this manner, one or more of the different advantageous embodimentsprovide features that increase the ease with which different weatherconditions may be identified. The different advantageous embodimentsprovide a capability to identify multiple weather conditions that may bepresent within a particular location. The display of different weatherindicators is selected such that the overlap of those weather indicatorsmay still allow the different weather conditions to be distinguishedfrom each other as well as be identified. Further, the extent of thedifferent weather conditions may still be viewed within the overlaps inthese different examples.

The different advantageous embodiments can take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodimentcontaining both hardware and software elements. Some embodiments areimplemented in software, which includes but is not limited to forms,such as, for example, firmware, resident software, and microcode.

Furthermore, the different embodiments can take the form of a computerprogram product accessible from a computer usable or computer readablemedium providing program code for use by or in connection with acomputer or any device or system that executes instructions. For thepurposes of this disclosure, a computer usable or computer readablemedium can generally be any tangible apparatus that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer usable or computer readable medium can be, for example,without limitation an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, or a propagation medium. Non-limitingexamples of a computer readable medium include a semiconductor or solidstate memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk,and an optical disk. Optical disks may include compact disk-read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.

Further, a computer usable or computer readable medium may contain orstore a computer readable or usable program code such that when thecomputer readable or usable program code is executed on a computer, theexecution of this computer readable or usable program code causes thecomputer to transmit another computer readable or usable program codeover a communications link. This communications link may use a mediumthat is, for example, without limitation, physical or wireless.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing computerreadable or computer usable program code will include one or moreprocessors coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through acommunications fabric, such as a system bus. The memory elements mayinclude local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storageof at least some computer readable or computer usable program code toreduce the number of times code may be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution of the code.

Input/output or I/O devices can be coupled to the system either directlyor through intervening I/O controllers. These devices may include, forexample, without limitation, keyboards, touch screen displays, andpointing devices. Different communications adapters may also be coupledto the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled toother data processing systems or remote printers or storage devicesthrough intervening private or public networks. Non-limiting examplesare modems and network adapters are just a few of the currentlyavailable types of communications adapters.

The description of the different advantageous embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageousembodiments may provide different advantages as compared to otheradvantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

1. A method for displaying weather information, the method comprising:identifying a number of weather conditions present within an altituderange along a route of an aircraft from weather data; selecting a typeof weather indicator based on a type of weather condition in the numberof weather conditions to form a number of weather indicators; anddisplaying a vertical situation display with the number of weatherindicators in a number of locations on a display corresponding to thenumber of locations for the number of weather conditions, wherein thenumber of weather indicators comprises a number of geometries havingspatial extents identifying an extent for each of a number of associatedweather conditions.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:displaying the route of the aircraft on the vertical situation display;and displaying a location of the aircraft on the route.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the number of weather indicators has a reduced geometrywithout an indication of an extent for an associated weather condition.4. The method of claim 3 further comprising: displaying a legend for thenumber of geometries.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein a first portionof the number of weather indicators has a reduced geometry without anindication of an extent for an associated weather condition and a secondportion of the number of weather indicators comprises a number ofgeometries having spatial extents identifying an extent for each of anumber of associated weather conditions.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein each type of geometry within the number of geometries has alevel of transparency within a corresponding shape allowing another typeof geometry to be identified when displayed in an overlapping manner. 7.The method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying at least one ofpoint information and vector information on the display.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein the point information comprises a number oftemperatures and the vector information comprises wind speed anddirection.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the type of weathercondition is selected from one of turbulence, icing, precipitation,volcanic ash, low visibility, and thunder storms.
 10. An apparatuscomprising: a display; and a computer system configured to execute aweather display process, wherein the weather display process identifiesa number of weather conditions present within an altitude range along aroute of an aircraft from weather data; selects a type of weatherindicator based on a type of weather condition in the number of weatherconditions to form a number of weather indicators; and displays avertical situation display with the number of weather indicators in anumber of locations on the display corresponding to the number oflocations for the number of weather conditions, wherein the number ofweather indicators comprises a number of geometries having spatialextents identifying an extent for each of a number of associated weatherconditions.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the weather displayprocess displays the route of the aircraft on the vertical situationdisplay and displays location of the aircraft on the route.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein a first portion of the number of weatherindicators has a reduced geometry without an indication of an extent foran associated weather condition and a second portion of the number ofweather indicators comprises a number of geometries having spatialextents identifying an extent for each of a number of associated weatherconditions.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each type of geometrywithin the number of geometries has a level of transparency within acorresponding shape allowing another type of geometry to be identifiedwhen displayed in an overlapping manner.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10further comprising: the aircraft, wherein the computer system and thedisplay are located within the aircraft.
 15. A computer program productfor presenting weather information, the computer program productcomprising: a non-transitory computer recordable storage media; programcode, stored on the non-transitory computer recordable storage media,for identifying a number of weather conditions present within analtitude range along a route of an aircraft from weather data; programcode, stored on the non-transitory computer recordable storage media,for selecting a type of weather indicator based on a type of weathercondition in the number of weather conditions to form a number ofweather indicators; and program code, stored on the non-transitorycomputer recordable storage media, for displaying a vertical situationdisplay with the number of weather indicators in a number of locationson a display corresponding to the number of locations for the number ofweather conditions, wherein the number of weather indicators comprises anumber of geometries having spatial extents identifying an extent foreach of a number of associated weather conditions.
 16. The computerprogram product of claim 15 further comprising: program code, stored onthe non-transitory computer recordable storage media, for displaying theroute of the aircraft on the vertical situation display; and programcode, stored on the non-transitory computer recordable storage media,for displaying a location of the aircraft on the route.